Prostate cancer statistics

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers). It is the 3rd leading cause of death from cancer in men in Canada.

To provide the most current cancer statistics, researchers use statistical methods to estimate the number of new cancer cases and deaths until actual data become available.

Incidence and mortality

Incidence is the total number of new cases of cancer. Mortality is the number of deaths due to cancer.

In 2017, an estimated:

21,300 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. This represents 21% of all new cancer cases in men in 2017.

4,100 men died from prostate cancer. This represents 10% of all cancer deaths in men in 2017.

On average, 58 Canadian men were diagnosed with prostate cancer every day.

On average, 11 Canadian men died from prostate cancer every day.

Estimated Canadian prostate cancer statistics (2017)

Category

Males

New cases

21,300

Incidence rate (for every 100,000 males)*

110.4

Deaths

4,100

Death rate (for every 100,000 males)*

23.8

5-year net survival (estimates for 2006–2008)

95%

*Age-standardized to the 2011 Canadian Standard Population. Age-standardization is a statistical method that removes the effect of age on the calculated rate. It allows rates to be compared over time or across provinces and territories.

Trends in prostate cancer

In Canada, the incidence rate of prostate cancer peaked in 1993 and again in 2001. Each of these peaks was followed by a decline. These peaks are compatible with two waves of intensified screening activity using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Since 2001, the incidence rate has generally been declining.

The mortality rate for prostate cancer has been declining since the late 1990s. The decline likely reflects improved treatment.

Chances (probability) of developing or dying from prostate cancer

It is estimated that about 1 in 7 Canadian men will develop prostate cancer during his lifetime and 1 in 29 will die from it.